June 17, 2018
Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies used their hierarchy in order yesterday, but it was for the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. That left the ninth inning to our old friend Hector Neris. Neris’ last save was on May 21st and he wasn’t exactly pitching well enough to earn another shot as he had given up a run in five of his past seven appearances before yesterday. However, manager Gabe Kapler went with Neris and he responded with a perfect inning for his tenth save of the season. The Phillies’ bullpen is the most unpredictable in baseball right now, and seemingly anybody could see a save chance at this point.
Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Ramos | Hunter.
* = closer-by-committee
New York Mets – The Mets are expected to activate Jeurys Familia on Sunday, and Mickey Callaway said that he could use Familia in the ninth in his first outing back.
Hierarchy remains: *Swarzak | Gsellman | Sewald.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins — Drew Steckenrider pitched a scoreless ninth yesterday for his first save of the season. Kyle Barraclough got the day off after pitching in two straight and four of five, but you already knew that was going to happen since you read yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch. Steckenrider should continue to see save chances when Barraclough is unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Barraclough | Steckenrider | Ziegler.
Toronto Blue Jays – Tyler Clippard helped finish off a three-hit shutout for the Blue Jays on Saturday by pitching a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the season. Closer Ryan Tepera got the day off after pitching in two of the past three games, including a 32 pitch outing on Wednesday. Seung-Hawn Oh had also been busy recently, pitching in two of three and three of five so Clippard was the most rested. Tepera is still clearly the closer at this point, but both Oh and Clippard should be in the mix when he is unavailable.
Hierarchy remains: Tepera | Oh | Clippard.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Joe Jimenez – Shane Greene has pitched in four straight games.
2. Josh Fields/Erik Goeddel – Kenley Jansen has pitched in two straight and three of four. Josh Fields has also pitched in two straight and three of four, but he only threw seven pitches yesterday.
Monday
1. Steve Cishek – If Brandon Morrow pitches on Sunday, it will be two straight, including a 25 pitch outing on Saturday and the Cubs have been cautious with Morrow so far this year.
2. Dellin Betances – The Yankees have a doubleheader on Monday and Chapman has pitched in two of the past three games.
3. Ryan Madson – The Nationals also have a doubleheader on Monday.